We had so much fun participating in the Summer Love Books exchange last month. The exchange, hosted by The Educators’ Spin On It, paired up twenty blogging mamas to exchange their favorite children’s books and activity ideas inspired by those books.
We were so thrilled when we were paired up with awesome mama blogger, Laura from Play Dr. Mom, and her two little ones, Henry and Honor. Since Laura is a Child Psychologist, she sent along her favorite children’s book about kids emotions, Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day
, by Jamie Lee Curtis.
The kids got such a giggle out of the many emotions and faces throughout the book. It’s rhyming lines make it a really fun read, too. It’s a great book for explaining emotions to children. Laura sent along a mini photo album
and a list of activity ideas for learning about emotions, too.
Make a Simple DIY Kids Emotions Game!
Here’s how we decided to make our own emotions game and book…
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.
DIY Kids Emotions Game
Supplies for the Kids Emotions Game:
- free kids emotions words printable (printed and cut out)
- photos of the kids making faces for each emotion word on the printable
- scissors
and/or scrapbooking paper trimmer - laminator and thermal laminating pouches (or can laminate at an office supply or printing store)
- round self-adhesive hook and loop fasteners (i.e. velcro)
- a mini 4×6” photo album
and/or 
(or can laminate at an office supply or printing store)
(i.e. velcro)
First, Download the Kids Emotions Words Printable:
How to Make your Kids Emotions Game:
- Print the free kids emotions printable at 4×6” and cut them down to 3.5” x 5.5”. Laminate for durability.
- Take close-up photos of the kids making faces of each of the emotions listed on the emotions printable. Laminate them for durability.
- Adhere round self-adhesive hook and loop fasteners to the back of the emotion words cards.
- Adhere the matching round self-adhesive hook and loop fasteners to the bottom front of the kids emotions pictures.
- Now, let the kids try to match the emotion words to the correct emotions pictures!
for durability.
to the back of the emotion words cards.
Since Sawyer is a beginning reader, this is great for him to practice reading his emotion words. When we are all done playing the emotions game, we store the pictures with their emotion words cards in the mini photo album for a fun emotions photo book.
We’re loving our new book and emotions game inspired by Laura, Henry, and Honor. Please go visit Laura at Play Dr. Mom and find out her other favorite children’s books about feelings.
Explaining emotions to children can be tricky. How do you talk about emotions with your kids? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Don’t forget your Kids Emotions Words Printable:
More DIY Ideas for Kids:
- How to Make a Super Simple DIY Toy for Your Toddler
- A DIY Game for After School Conversations with Kids
- An Easy DIY Kids Microphone Toy
Chris says
Love this idea, what a very inventive way to impart the power of emotion and emotional repsonses on your children.
excellent.
lorraine murray says
loved this and am going to share with my facebook page and students I teach. Something I would add in (if it’s okay to suggest) is having an outline of their body on the back… and they place a coloured circle on it so that not only do they have a face for the emotion, but they notice where they feel it on their body). Having taught kids meditation, it is the body that signals an emotion (just like kids get that feeling when they need the toilet) and if they notice and listen to the signal, they can use meditation and mindfulness to connect with it and stop it from becoming overwhelming. Just a thought! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Oh – such a great suggestion! I love that. Thank you for sharing.
Lolly says
Amanda,
Great idea thank you so much.
Intan says
Wonderful! I am going to do your idea with my beloved students. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Brooke says
Wow, this is a GREAT idea!! Thank you for sharing. Our house will really be able to use this! — Question, do you recommend investing in a laminating machine or going to a local Kinko’s? (i.e. how much do you need to use the laminating machine to make it worth it?) Thanks!
Krissy @ B-InspiredMama says
Honestly – I don’t use ours tons. Every couple of months. But it was only like $18 and I think totally worth it. Really nice to have on hand! Lots of projects would never get done if I had to arrange to go somewhere to laminate. Thanks for your kind words!
andie jaye says
we love this book! and what a fun idea to promote emotional intelligence! their pictures are great! thanks for linking it up to tip-toe thru tuesday!
Natasha SerenityYou says
wow love this so much. pinning
i would also love it if you could share this on my link party Serenity Saturday that runs from Saturday-Thursday.
also your newest follower
http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com
Lorie K says
Love your activities. Featuring you again on my Kid's Co-op post tomorrow. 🙂
maggy, red ted art says
What a fabulous way to explore emotions and it is SO CUTE TOO!!!!! What a fun keepsake.
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
MaryAnne K says
I've been meaning to do this with my kids – such a great resource!
We have that same laminating machine – works great!
Thanks for linking up to Learning Laboratory =)
pinkoddy says
That's a really good idea as we think our youngest has Aspergers. Thanks for sharing.
JDaniel4's Mom says
It looks like they had a wonderful time making faces! I love this idea!
Danielle says
Adorable idea! I have to pin this to remember when we do our feelings study!
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
Hope you enjoy it, Danielle!
Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says
Thanks you Krissy for participating in the LOVE BOOKS Exchange this summer. The emotion pictures your children took are adorable and I used this game in my Kindergarten classroom, makes a fun handdrawn book too and great story prompts. Can't wait to see what you shared with Laura at Play Dr. Mom!
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
Yes, my Sawyer wants to make a book with drawings now!
And thanks for hosting the exchange. It was a blast!
PlayDrMom says
WOWZA! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it turned out! Great post!
I'm SO glad that we were exchange buddies!!!
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
Thanks so much, Laura!!! We loved the book and activity. Can't wait to see what you did with your book. 🙂
Tonii says
What a fantastic idea!! I adore that book, but the printable and activity just make it that much better. Thank you SO much for sharing!!
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
You're welcome, Tonii. I can't believe we hadn't even read that book before. It is great!
Amanda says
I LOVE this game! I so would have used this in my practice with my kids in therapy. However, I will absolutly use it with my own. Feeling identification is such an important skill that many kids just don't have. Good job, Mama!
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
Thanks, Amanda!